Parents' Perspectives on Adaptive Sports in Children with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities

Opportunities for Participation: A Mapping Review of Inclusive Physical Activity for Youth With Disabilities

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this review is to map the literature regarding group-based inclusive and adapted physical activity opportunities for youth with disabilities, and to identify gaps in that literature.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was completed across 5 electronic databases. Inclusion criteria were for any study type with youth ages 3 to 21 years who participated in any adapted group-based physical activity program, or their caregivers.

RESULTS

A total of 30 studies were included from 13 countries, consisting of more than 15 types of physical activity. Levels of evidence ranged from 2b to 4 as per the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence system.

CONCLUSIONS

A small but growing body of evidence exists regarding group-based inclusive and adapted physical activity. A dearth of evidence exists for rurally residing programs and programs that include children with severe disabilities.

The Role of Volunteers in a Swimming Organization for Persons with Disabilities

Participation in leisure time physical activity (LTPA) has considerable health-related, psychological, and social benefits. However, the involvement of individuals with disabilities is considerably less than that of their peers without disabilities. A higher rate of participation of individuals with disabilities in LTPA may be achieved by the active involvement of volunteers. This study aimed to describe the importance of volunteer involvement in a swimming organization focused on individuals with disabilities, as perceived by all participants, including swimmers with disabilities, their parents, volunteers, and coaches. The organization uses volunteers as swimming instructors who work individually with swimmers with disabilities. The data were obtained through 11 semi-structured interviews with swimmers with disabilities and their parents, volunteers, and coaches. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a five-step inductive thematic analysis. As a result of the cooperation with the volunteer swimming instructors, swimmers with disabilities felt an improved range of movement, greater independence, and higher self-esteem than before they started using the services of the swimming organization. Consequently, even individuals with severe disabilities can participate in LTPA. Membership to the organization also provided space for the establishment of new social relations, and the instructors described them accepting persons with disabilities as their equals. More importantly, the involvement of volunteers enables organizations to provide respite care for parents.